SENIORS GROUP
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LUNCHTIME RENDEZVOUS: Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Friday the 17th of October 08
From 1050 to 1630 hours
Location:
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Shiprow, Aberdeen
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Programme:
1050 Arrival and coffee/tea [Education Room, first floor]
1105 Welcome by the Seniors Group Coordinator [Education Room, first floor]
1106 Introduction by Mr David MacLennan [Education Room, first floor]
1110 Lecture What does a Marine Scientist do? by Mr John Dunn, R.T.E.M., Higher
Scientific Officer in Oceanographic Services and Zooplankton Ecology, Fisheries
Research Services Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen [Education Room, first floor].
1200 Tour of the Aberdeen Maritime Museum
1230 Four Course Lunch with Wine (Waitress Service) with partners and friends
[Education Room, first floor].
1500 Tour of FRV Scotia
1630 Finish
This Lunchtime Rendezvous is primarily a social occasion for the Seniors Group but the
talks are intended to be of interest to all. Over coffee and lunch there will be an
opportunity to discuss possible future events of interest to Members.
The cost, including coffee and a four course lunch with wine is £26.00 per person for
Members and their husbands or wives. Friends of Members are most welcome to attend
at a cost of £30.00 per person. Please note that the completed Booking Form must be
received by the Seniors Group Coordinator before Thursday the 9th of October 2008.
Transport:
The Aberdeen Maritime Museum is about a seven minute walk from the Aberdeen
Railway Station and the adjoining Aberdeen Bus Station.
Commercial car parking is available nearby, with an entrance on Virginia Street.
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Abstract:
What does a Marine Scientist do? by Mr John Dunn, R.T.E.M., Higher Scientific Officer
in Oceanographic Services and Zooplankton Ecology, Fisheries Research Services
Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen
The presentation takes the audience on what at first appears to be a simplistic tour of why
we are all so dependant on the sea and why it plays such a major role in controlling the
environment we live in. It explores through various jobs which Fisheries Research
Services (F.R.S.) does, some of the science which underpins some of the important
decisions which we as a country are going to have to make to secure a future.
During the presentation we examine noise from fish underwater, through water
communication by fish, the part played by colour underwater and food chains. On the
way we also examine how to age fish, how to make fishing gear more selective, what fish
eat and how difficult it is for us to catch it, and why eating oily fish can make us all
healthier and possibly live longer
The part climate change is playing in the marine environment is looked at, as well as the
problems encountered in our modern world with things like ballast water, off shore wind
farms, and sewage disposal.
FRV Scotia
Introduction
FRV Scotia was built by Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd at Port Glasgow for the then Scottish
Office and completed early in 1998. Operating from her home port in Aberdeen, Scotia is
used for fish stock assessment and environmental monitoring in the North Sea and north
Atlantic waters. She carries a crew of 17 and can accommodate up to 12 scientists.
Fisheries data and other information gathered on research cruises are essential to the
success of Fisheries Research Services’ (FRS) scientific programme, which underpins
advice given to Government. To ensure the availability of this information, FRS operates
two research vessels – FRV Scotia and FRV Clupea. Both vessels are fitted with a wide
range of deployment and recovery facilities for fishing gear and equipment, scientific and
environmental sensors and data gathering systems. Much of FRS’ experimental work is
conducted at sea using very specialised or custom-built monitoring, measuring and
observation equipment. For the design, development and maintenance of such equipment,
FRS is dependent on the electronic and mechanical skills and expertise of its Engineering
Services department.
Trawling
Scotia is fitted with a stern ramp for trawling, with the main trawl winches fitted below
deck. The trawl-deck is visible from the bridge, and from a control cabin. A fully
instrumented autotrawl system and a net sensor system enables the dimensions of the net
and the position of the trawl behind the ship to be monitored.
Modular Laboratories
The specially equipped laboratories are containerised and can be loaded within the body
of the ship, or taken away for servicing or operation on land. They can be fitted out for
particular tasks (acoustic surveys, hydrography, plankton surveys, or pollution
monitoring) in advance of a cruise.
Low Noise
An important task for Scotia is the operation of acoustic surveys of pelagic fish stocks.
For this, a low level of underwater noise propagation is essential, and particular attention
has been paid to soundproofing the machinery and propulsion system to give a very low
level of radiated noise.
Further information can be found at the Marine Laboratory Website: www.marlab.ac.uk